Fire near Monument Ridge now at 82 acres, 40% contained

A stripe of red fire retardant is pictured along the perimeter of the Monument Fire on July 23, 2023. Photo: Utah Fire Info

UINTAH COUNTY, Utah — A fire that began burning on Saturday, July 22 in the Monument Ridge area is now at an estimated 82 acres, and is 40% contained.

Dubbed the Monument Fire, the blaze was sparked by lightning and first reported to authorities just after 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The fire is located 55 miles southeast of Vernal in the Book Cliffs, on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Smoke from the fire’s south end may be visible to drivers from I-70.

According to Utah Fire Info, the fire is burning timber, juniper and brush grass. There is oil and gas infrastructure in the area, and the companies that own that infrastructure are being contacted.

According to the latest update from Utah Fire Info on Monday, July 24 at 5:45 p.m., fire crews are still on the ground in the area working to extinguish hot spots.